A top Chinese expert said spacesuit technologies have produced "wide benefits" for related industries in China.

"The development of spacesuits involve nearly all technologies used for human individual protection purpose, and these technologies will have wider use in other sectors," Li Tanqiu, director of the spacesuit research office of China's taikonauts center, said.

China's home-made spacesuits are composed of three parts, according to Li. The outer layer is made of materials that can sustain extreme heat and extensive abrasion, which protects inner structures and let the suit inflate into full preset shape for users' comfort.

Underneath is the airtight layer using special fabrics to prevent air leakage from the pressurized suit. The third part is the ventilation system that helps circulate air within and carry away heat from human metabolism.

In addition, auxiliaries include a helmet, gloves, emergency oxygen and ventilation unit and headphone.

Li said spacesuit technologies on cooling, air-tight, textile and communications have very broad application. During the deadly infectious SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) outbreak two years ago, medical staff used cooling vests developed by the center. The vests helped solve the problem of thick, ordinary exposure suits without proper ventilation, which make wearers easily get tired.

The noise-proof headphone were used by drivers of tank squads in the military review on the National Day in 1999 who could not talk to each other properly before using spacesuit headphones that reduced noise effectively, according to Li.

The director said spacesuit technologies can be used to develop functional clothes like fireman suits and diving suits, and help boost clothing industry with hi-tech advantages.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2005)